Dr. Shefali Patel-Shusterman

OB-GYN located in Westfield, NJ

Botox® Specialist

Dr. Shefali Patel-Shusterman is a board-certified gynecologist who serves the residents of Westfield and Garwood, New Jersey and the surrounding cities and towns. She specializes in many different procedures including the use of Botox® and Juvederm®.

Botox Q & A

What Is Botox® Used For?

Botox® treatments can be used for a variety of purposes. For years it has been used in cosmetic procedures to help reduce the visual effects of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox® injections paralyze and relax muscles, allowing it to be used for certain muscle disorders like excessive blinking of the eyes and muscles twitches that occur on or near the face. It can be used to relax the muscles that cause irritation of the temporomandibular joint. Botox® injections have also been proven to be effective in relaxing the muscles in the skull and helping to reduce the frequency of migraines and other types of headaches.

How Long Does a Botox® Treatment Last?

Botox® treatments normally last from three to six months. Depending on the strength of the injection, a treatment can last as long as eight months. In the beginning, the area may appear swollen and inflamed until the serum begins to take effect and move throughout the area. The skin near the injection site may remain slightly puffy for several weeks. Even when the injections are used to relax muscle spasms, the effects on the skin around the area is still the same. Botox® injections result in smoother, firmer, more youthful looking skin. After several months, the wrinkles and lines will begin to reappear. When the skin begins to show signs of sagging or wrinkling, another treatment is called for.

What Is Involved in a Botox® Treatment?

There is very little to a Botox® treatment. The doctor may ask that the patient does not take any aspirin or ibuprofen for up to two weeks prior to the injection. This prevents bruising near the injection site. The doctor may also recommend abstaining from alcohol for a week to ten days prior to the treatment. On the day of the injection, the patient will be asked to sit quietly. No anesthesia will be used and the skin around the injection site does not need to be numbed or prepped in any way. The serum is injected directly into the muscle tissue. While it may take up to seven days for the full effect of the injection to be noticeable, there is no need for a return visit or follow-up exam.

How Is Juvederm® Different Than Botox®?

Juvederm® is the name for a group of dermal fillers that use hyaluronic acid to produce the best results. These dermal fillers are used to fill out areas of the face that have lost tissue and fat making the area look hollow and sunken in. Dermal fillers increase volume and smooth wrinkles and lines that can appear across the forehead, around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Juvederm® helps to restore elasticity to the skin, helping it become more pliant. This provides a more youthful appearance and will help to maintain it for several months. Juvederm® can also be used to create volume in the lips, making them look fuller.

To view our before and after gallery showing examples from using Botox® and Juvederm®, click here.

Insurances

Here is a list of our accepted insurances. If you have insurance, you will be asked to provide a copy of your current card. Please be sure to bring your current insurance card and a valid photo ID with you, and arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. For any questions regarding insurance, please contact our office directly.